ALIA

EVER WONDERED WHAT IT would be like if you could go back to the past and change things? Every regretted something so bad that it's eating you alive?

My mom has called me about ten times today. I don't have the courage to answer the phone. To talk to her, it's something I know I have to do, but I can't. Not yet. Licking my dry lips I sucked in a shaky breath before getting out of the car.

I locked it pushing my phone into the pockets of my jeans then climbed the steps. Pushing the door open I entered the chaos, it surprised me. This is the first time I'm at the station when it's like this. I walked to the front counter drawing the attention of the officer.

"Hi, I'd like to see my father." The words taste like acid in my mouth. "Chief Dune."

"He's in his office ma'am, I'll show you."

I followed him through a hall and past other desk. I recognized Stephen's office as we passed it. The door is slightly open and I can hear his voice. Stopping I smiled a thanks to the officer turning to the door.

The word 'Chief' is written in bold on the glass. Letting out the breath I knocked softly before opening it. He looked up with furrowed brows, his mouth thinning as he saw me. Closing the door I took another step closer. I feel very uncertain now that I'm here. The courage I had build in the car suddenly left my body.

"Can we talk?"

Minutes passed before he nodded pointing to the chair in front of the desk. I sat down looking everywhere but at him. He broke the silence first.

"What do you want to know?"

Swallowing the lump in my throat I finally look up at him. "How long have you known?"

"Since you were born." He leaned back in the chair making it creak. "Your mother's boss was my cousin."

I gasped eyes widening, no wonder he hates me so much. Family betraying you just like your wife.

"Why didn't he take me? Why did you and mom stay married? Why do you hate me now?"

With a sigh he stood walking over to the window. He stood there silently just staring outside. I opened my mouth but snapped it close again, what do I say? There is this awkwardness that was never there.

"I love your mother really much, so I forgave her. Everyone makes mistakes." He turned eyes locking with mine. "When she first found out that she's pregnant again, she told me that it's my baby. Things didn't add up, and later I knew why. My cousin divorced his wife to marry your mother."

"Why?"

"She was a barren woman, he wanted kids. When he heard about the pregnancy he wanted to marry her for the sake of the child. Things got complicated and he went to the court. She told him that the child isn't his, so he wanted a DNA test." Walking over to the chair again he sat down leaning forward with his hands clasped together.

"What happened after that?" My voice is low, almost a whispered as I took it in.

"The DNA test showed that it was his and not mine. Your mother asked me to help her." He paused eyes dropping to the desk. "We made false DNA test that claimed that the baby is mine and not his. The charges were dropped and everything went back to normal."

I pondered over his words imagining the events like he told me.

"I knew from the beginning who's daughter you are, that's why I treated you different. I didn't want to get attached because I knew that it would all get out. If I didn't love you then I wouldn't hurt when they took you."

Tears filled my eyes as he spoke. One dropped down my cheek which I wiped away quickly.

"Why now? Why did you tell me now?"

Standing he walked around the desk kneeling in front of me. His hands are placed over mine, eyes searching my face.

"I don't hate you Alia, I never have." He gave me a small smile. "She wanted to tell you the truth before she dies, I agreed. A few weeks back I contacted my cousin. We told him everything, he wants to meet you."

I shook my head trying to blink back the tears. "I don't want to meet him. You're my father and no one can replace you, please don't write me off."

Chuckling he surprised me by pulling me in for a hug. I cried into his shoulder my arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

"P-please don't leave m-me d-dad."

"Never." Pulling back he gave me a smile wiping the tears with a shaky hand. "You're my little girl. Will you forgive me for the way I've treated you?"

I sniffed wiping my nose with the back of my hand. "I need some time."

He nodded standing up, I followed suit giving him a small smile.

"Have you spoken to your mom yet?"

I shook my head walking over to the window. My eyes followed the moment of the vehicles and people. I felt his presence behind me, then he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"The two of you need to talk Alia, she doesn't have much time left."

"I know." I whispered closing my eyes briefly. "I know."

A loud knock on the door stopped us from saying anything else. The door opened a second later and Stephen stepped inside. Surprise flashed through his eyes but he said nothing. I gave him a small smile which he returned.

"Do you need anything deputy?"

Clearing his throat he stepped further into the room eyes moving to my dad.

"They want you in the interrogation room."

"Okay." My dad turned eyes locking with mine. "Remember what I told you."

With a glare at Stephen he walked out of the room closing the door softly behind him.

"You okay?"

I nod walking towards him. Burying my face in his chest I wrapped my arms around his waist. His lips brushed my forehead, hand stroking my back.

"You need to get back to work." I looked up at him giggling when he kissed my nose.

"I think I have a few minutes to talk to my girlfriend." Stephen smirked leaning down to capture my lips.

We pulled away breathlessly smiling at each other. I stepped away from him glancing at the door.

"I'll let you get back to work, I need to go to the supermarket to get some stuff."

"Do you need any money?" He asked softly leaning against the desk.

I shook my head eyes dropping to the floor. "I want to find a job, I don't like living off of you."

When he said nothing I looked up at him, he's studying me silently with a frown. Straightening he walked towards me pulling me against him.

"Whatever is mine, is yours." His lips brushed mine. "Remember that."

With a last kiss he left the office to go back to work. I left the station with a smile feeling a little lighter. One weight is lifted from my shoulder, now I just have to deal with the other. I checked my phone seeing another miss call from my mom.

Driving to the supermarket I parked the car before making my way inside. There isn't many people around and I guess it has something to do with the cold. I got everything on the list paying at the till.

When I walked outside my steps flattered. There's a man leaning against my car. He's dressed in jeans, brown boots and a thick black jacket. A black beard covered the bottom half of his face.

I bit my lip turning around. Walking back to the lady I paid at I asked her for a piece of paper and pen. Writing down the description I gave the paper to her.

"There's a man at my car, if something happens give this to the cops." I walked away before she could say anything else.

The closer I got to the car the faster my heart began to beat. My stomach turned dangerously when the man looked at me. He smirked and somehow it seemed familiar.

"Alia?"

I nod keeping my distance. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, yes you can."

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Do you know:

Stephen was originally suppose to propose to Alia in Chapter Fifty...